Des Moines parks officials report record use, volunteer surge and $18.4 million budget in work‑session briefing

Ben Page, Des Moines parks and recreation director, told the City Council at its Sept. 29 work session that the department’s mission is “helping Des Moines live well, play hard, and protect the Earth.” He said the department manages 92 parks, 70-plus miles of trails, 20 aquatic facilities and seven service lines on an $18,400,000 operating budget that returns about $4,500,000 in revenue.

The update stressed heavy public use and volunteer support. “In 2024 alone, 5,317 volunteers donated 33,699 hours of service, valued at over $1,100,000,” Jenny Richmond, assistant director, said. Richmond and Page described a 15‑year volunteer tally of roughly 52,000 unduplicated volunteers and said Friends of Des Moines Parks and the Parks and Recreation Board are major funders and advocates.

The department reported user counts and program data that exceed pre‑pandemic levels. Page cited golf participation at about 130,000 rounds a year and said pools received enough visits last year that “we would have filled up the Iowa football and Iowa State football stadiums both.” Mike…